Fusible link or strut.



'E. FJSHIPMAN.

FUSIBLE LINK OR STRUT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1. 1911.

Patented Apr. 29, 1919.

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FUSIBLE LINK 0R STRUT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1. I917.

Patented Apr. 29,1919.

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.[NVE/V TOR. rfiffikwmam TTQRE Y I WI TNESSES Z EDWARD F. SHIPMAN, 0F WOODHAVEN, NEW YORK.

FUSIBLE LINK OB, STRUT.

Application filed March 7, 1917.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EnwixnnF. SHIPMAN, a citizen of the Jnited States. residing in lVoodhaven, county of Queens, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Fusible Link or Strut, of which the following is :1V specification.

This invention is afusible link, and is paricularly adapted for use with automatic fire sprinklers wherein it serves to normally 'maintain the valve of the sprinkler seated until such time as the temperature in' the immediate vicinity of the sprinkler rises to a predetermined degree, whereupon the link is disrupted under the influence of such temperature and allows the valve of the sprinkler to become unseated, thereby placing the sprinkler in operation.

The object of the invention is to provide a link of the character specified which may be economically manufactured, is efiicient in its operation of normally maintaining the sprinkler valve in its seated position, and is positively operable to allow oi the operation of the sprinkler under the influence of a predetermined degree of heat, even though said link become fouled by electrical wiring, or other adjacent obstacles.

More specific features of the invention, as well as the operative and manufacturing advantages resulting therefrom, will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the ac companying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated different practical embodiments of the invention, but the constructions shown therein are to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an automatic sprinkler head, showing a fusible link, embodying the present invention, associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is a central, vertical, longitudinal section through said link, the plane of said section being indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the link shown in section in Fig. 2.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 29, 119919".

Serial No. 153,178.

Fig. 6 is a perspective detail of said strut member detached.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a modified form of link embodying this invention.

Fig. 8 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 9 is a perspective detail of the strut member used in the constructions of Figs. 7 and 8.

.Fig. 10 is a section in the plane of the line 10-10 of Fig. 8, and v Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a second modified form of fusible link, also embodying the invention, which I may employ.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates any well known form of sprinkler head pro vided with the usual valve a, and adjusting screw 4:, to the upper end of which screw is fixed a deflector or spreader B, of any well known and conventional form. If desired. however, adjusting screw a may be actuated through the employment of a wrench or key, and the deflector or spreader fixedly mounted directly upon the portion of sprinkler head A through which screw a is threaded.

I have chosen, in showing the deflector or spreader B, to illustrate an improved and ngvel form invented by me, and on which I intend to file an application for U. S. Letters Patent. This spreader embodies a substantially circular disk provided at its center with a hub 6, whereby the same may be rigidly secured on the adjusting screw a of the sprinkler head. The disk is provided near its outer periphery with an annular depression or channel 7), which is corrugatedradially. Apertures b are provided inthe disk adjacent the hub' thereof, and further apertures b are provided in the annular channel I), to allow of the upward spraying of water therethrough. Aperturcs further allow of the escape of any water that may become deposited in said channel. This improved spreader is very efiicient in operation, as the dispensation of water coming in contact therewith is accomplished in substantially every direction.

The preferred form of link of this invention is shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive. It embodies, in the main, two complementary levers C, with which is associated a strut member D. Levers C are each preferably formed from. a sheet of phosphor-bronze, which isstamped up into the shape shown inFigs. :2 and 3, whereby each lever C embodies a forward portion 0, and a rearward portion 0', which portions lie in substantially parallel planes, with an intermediate portion 0 forming an off-set.

\Vhen properly assembled, with the portions 0 of the two levers in face-abutting relation, with an intermediate layer of soft fusible solder e, the off-set portions 0 will be in the diverging relation shown in Fig. 2, and between those parts of the levers where the off-set portions 0 intersect the portions 0, is inserted the strut D. The portions 0 are comparatively short, relative to the length of the levers C, and each of said portions is provided with a cupped depression 0", one of which fits over the apex of valve a, the other receiving the lower tapered end of adjusting screw a. If the rear portions 0 of the two levers are soldered together as described, and the link associated with the sprinkler head A, as shown in Fig. 1, it will be apparent that, as adjusting screw a is screwed down tight, a leverage action will result, wherein is found the strut member D operating as a fulcrum for levers C, of which the portions 0 are the work arms and the remaining portions 0 and c the power arms. The solder a, as long as it remains intact, maintains the work arms 0 in extended positions, but, when said solder releases the power arms, the pressure of water behind valve a causes the work ari'ns to be forced together and the power arms to part, the two levers C operating on fulcrums formed by the opposite ends of strut D.

In the drawings, several ways are shown for maintaining strut member D against inadvertent displacement during the assembling of the link, as well as during the subsequent operations thereof, and these different ways will be described in connection with the modified forms of the link with which they are used. However, in the construc tion of Figs. 1 to (5, this is accomplished by forming the lateral edges of each lever, durin the stamping-up operation, with a pair of oppositely positioned sockets (Z, positioned in the vertical plane of strut D, and providing said strut with projections d, which extend beyond the ends of the strut proper and seat in said sockets, as shown best in Figs. 3 and I. By virtue of the engagement of the projections on the strut with the pockets of levers C, any slipping or dislodgment of the strut, while the parts are assembled, is absolutely precluded, and said strut remains in the position in which it is initially placed until the disruption of the link under the influence of heat.

Considerable difficulty is frequently encountered in the assembling of fusible link portions and the soldering of these portions in proper position, because of the necessity of obtaining accurate relation between the parts. I have found by experiment that this objection may be readily overcome by stamping up complementary projections and sockets, f and f, respectively, in the portions 0 of the levers, as shown best in Figs. 3 and In 'arrying out this construction, each lever is formed in the same way and from the same die, being provided with two or more sockets and a corresponding number of projections so positioned that, when any two levers are taken from the die, reversed and placed in the face-abutting relation described, the projections of one will register with the sockets of the other, and vice versa. By this arrangement, the two levers C may be accurately and expeditiously positioned and soldered in proper relation by merely bringingthe projections and sockets into register in an entirely mechanical way.

The link thus far described may be practically employed with high eiiiciency by simply flooding the free edges of portions 0 with'fusible solder, which, in conjunction with the intermediate layer of solder will serve, under ordinary conditions, to maintain valve a seated. However, to guard against excess strain and varying fluid pressure hehind valve a, it is desirable to provide additional means for normally maintaining the work arms of the levers in abutting relation, thereby relieving the fusible solder from carrying the entire load.

This means is embodied in a locking member composed of two strips, 71 it, .of comparatively light but rigid material, the major portion of eachof which strips is soldered to the outer face of portion 0 of each lever C, the remainder of said strips being formed into jaw portions adapted to interlock, as shown best in Fig. In order that the interlocked portions may not become bent or distorted, and thereby released from one another through the fouling of the link by some adjacent projection, said portions are preferably set into and housed within cutout portions it formed iii the ends of the work arms of levers C. Strips it and 71 thus serve as small, secondary locking levers for holding the work arms of the link to ther until, by the action of heat, the fns ble solder which unites the parts beco nes melted, whereupon said parts are released and the link is disrupted by hyd 'auiic pressure. In the exterior faces of the lever portions 0 and the adjacent faces of the strips f2 are preferably formed complementary projecting and reeutrant portions h which serve to facilitate the assembling of said strips on the lii in a manner to insure uniformi y of this operation and obviate binding between the strips and levers.

It will be noted, with respect to the secondary locking strips, that they are so formed that the melting-free of eitherwill allow of the disruption of the link, even though the other strip remains secured to the link. In practice, all that portion of the link rearward of the ofi-set portions 0 is preferably flooded over with fusible solder, as indicated by the dotted line 9, but, when subjected to the required temperature, this solder readily fuses and the link operates, in the manner described, to set the sprinkler in operation.

In the modified construction of Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, the two complementary levers I are of the same general form as the levers C, and are provided with assembling projec tions 2' and sockets 2", corresponding to similar members f and f of the preferred construction. The strut member J, while performing the same function as strut member D, is maintained in operative position through the employment of different means, the same end being accomplished in the present case by bending up rearwardly extending fingers i at the lateral edges of strut J. When the link is assembled, the ends of fingers 2' will engage with the offset portions of levers I, while the intermediate end portions of said strut will engage with the exterior walls of the cup-shaped. depressions 2' which correspond to the like depressions 0 as clearly shown in Fig. 7. By this arrangement, movement of the strut longitudinally of the link or twisting of said strut is obviated.

Strut D is shown as provided with a stiffening rib (Z so that adequate strength may be had even though comparatively light material is employed. Such a stiffening rib or corrugation may be employed in the modified form of strut J, as well as in the strut hereinafter to be described with the modified construction of Fig. 11, but, as said rib is not entirely essential, the same is omitted from these latter showings.

In the construction of Figs. 7 to 10, modified locking means is employed in lieu of the locking strips h h of the preferred construction. The formation of this modified means consists in stamping out registering slots from the edges of the abutting portions of the levers I, and flowing soft fusible solder into and about said cut-out portions in such manner that the fusible solder takes, in effect, the form .of rivets 70 (see Figs. 8 and 10). Because of the amount of solder employed in the formation of these rivetshaped members, any number of which may be employed, the integrity of the link may be preserved against excess strains. In practice, all that portion of the link rearward of the off-set portions of the levers is prefer ably flooded over with solder, as designated by the dotted lines 70 in Fig. 7

In the modified construction of Fig. 11, each lever L is formed, where the off-set portion meets the work arm of the lever, with an interior channel Z, in which channels seat the opposite ends of a square-ended strut N. The engagement of the strut with the chan nels precludes the twisting of said strut or the movement thereof longitudinally of the link. The link, as shown in this figure, is provided with locking means identical with the locking means of Figs. 1 to 6, although the assen'ibling projections and sockets are omitted. The rear portion of the link is, of course, in practice, flooded with solder, but, in the interest of clearness, its showing is omitted in this view.

A salient feature of advantage inherent in the constructions of this invention is that the opposi eends of any of the strut members D, J or N, serve as independent fulcrums for two off-set levers, either one of which levers is, in effect, operable entirely independently of the other, in its oscillation on its fulcrum. Thus, if the link, when in place upon a sprinkler head, becomes fouled by a rigid pipe, -electric light wire, or other immovable adjacent member, in such manner as to preclude the operation of one of the levers, this fact will not in the least impair the operativeness of the. other. For example, if stock is stacked adjacent the link in such manner that a box top comes into engagement with the under face of the lower lever, it will be manifest that, upon the fusing of the solder, said lower lever will be unable to turn on its fulcrum, because it is precluded from doing so by the rigid material engaging therewith. However, as soon as the solder is melted, this will not preclude the operation of the upper lever, so that the same is free to turn on its fulcrum, embodied in the upper end of the strut, and release the sprinkler for operation.

This principle of allowing of the operation of the link even though one lever thereof may be precluded from its normal operation, is carried out with respect to the secondary locking strips h h. It will be noted that these strips are so interlocked that either one, when released by the solder, may be readily disengaged from the other, even though the latter is still rigidly held in place. These locking strips, while not interfering with the proper operation of the link, greatly rein force the same, since it will be noted that each strip constitutes, in effect, a lever fulc-rumed adjacent its interlocking end at the rear edge of the levers C, the relatively long sustaining arms of the levers being normally held in face-abutting relation to the outer faces of levers C by the fusible solder, which, because of the considerable leverage, is not subjected to any great degree of tension. As heretofore stated, the rear portions of the links are preferably flooded over with solder, as shown by the dotted lines 9 and 70 in Figs. 2 and 7, respectively. This is considered the best construction, but very practical results may 'be obtained by the more economical method of applying solder in built-up form along the edges of the portions 0 of levers C, as well as the similar portions relative to levers I. When the locking strips 7L and h are employed, they are soldered to the main link levers in the usual way, but the interlocking portions of said strips are preferably flooded over with solder, so as to preclude the corrosion of, and the depositing of sediment or other foreign material within, the interlocked portions of said strips.

The precluding of corrosion in the operating joints of fusible links is an important consideration, as is well understood, and, to obviate this difficulty, the parts of the link are frequently formed from phosphorbronze, generally cast into shape. Phosphorbronze, moreover, does not lose its resiliency or bend, even when subjected to a long con tinued strain, and, for this reason, too, it is preferably employed in the present link. By the formation of the parts of the link as describd, however, the link of this invention may b readily stamped up, thereby greatly expediting the manufacture of the link and, because of the identity of the two main levers, resulting in a great saving in time and cost.

The forming of the link of two off-set levers, each of which operates on a different fulcrum, and the work arms of which levers are soldered together in face-abutting relation, in a plane perpendicular to the plane in which force is applied to the work arms of said levers, provides a very strong and positively operating construction. In many prior art links, the parts of the link to which solder is applied, in attaching them together, move apart when the solder is fused by a sliding movement. However, in the present link, sliding movement is not availed of,

but a direct parting movement. In such a construction, atmospheric pressure, manifestly, assists the solder in holding the parts together, so that the solder, which forms the most expensive part of the link, may be used more sparingly than in links of the prior art type specified. Moreover, the cooperating sockets and projections f f and i 2'', hereinbefore described as particularly ada ted to facilitate in the assembling of the lin have the further function of spacing members, as it will clearly appear from Fig. 5 that, when the two main levers of the link are positioned together, with an intermediate layer of solder, these cooperating sockets and proj ections will always space the two levers the same distance apart, so that the layers of solder between the levers of a plurality of links will be the same. Thus, one link will have no more solder between its parts than any other link made from the same die, so

that, when the resisting strength of one link is computed, all the other links formed from the same die will have substantially the same strength in the respect mentioned.

It will be manifest from the foregoing descri'ption that the present invention embodies many features of novelty, some of which are included in one form and some in others. It will be understood that many of these several features of advantage may be incorporated in any one link, to the exclusion of other of such advantages, as is apparent from Fig. 11, wherein the benefit of the olfset levers, cooperating strut, and locking members, is included, to the exclusion of the assembling projections and sockets. In like manner, different combinations of these elements, within reasonable limits, will be apparent,-and the invention is, therefore, to be understood as not restricted to the specific showing made, but is as broadly novel as is commensurate with the appended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A fusible link for fire sprinklers embodying two levers of the first class pivoted on separate fulcrums, with the work arms of the levers spaced apart and in substantially parallel relation and the portions of the power arms thereof adjacent the fulcrunis converging to bring the remaining portions of the power arms into face-abutting relation, and fusible solder uniting said face abutting portions of the power arms.

A fusible link for tire sprinklers embodying two levers of the first class pivoted on separate fulcrunis, with the work arms of the levers spaced apart and in substantially parallel relation and the portions of the power arms thereof adjacent the fulcrums converging to *bring the remaining portions of the power arms into face-abutting relation, fusible solder uniting said face-abutting portions of the power arms, and depressed seats in the outer faces of the work arms for receiving the operating parts of the sprinkler.

8. A fusible link for fire sprinklers embodying two levers of the first class pivoted on'separa te fulcruins, with the work arms of the levers spaced apart and in substantially parallel relation and the portions of the power arms thereof adjacent the fulcrums converging to bring the remaining portions of the power arms into face-abutting relation, fusible solder uniting said face-abutting portions of the power arms, depressed seats in the outer faces of the work arms for engagement by the sprinkler, and complementary recesses and projections on the abutting portions of the levers for facilitating the assembling and soldering of the levers together.

at. A fusible link for fire sprinklers embodying two levers of the first class pivoted on separate fulcrums, with the work arms of the levers spaced apart and in substantially parallel relation and the portions of the power arms thereof adjacent the fullSO ' face-abutting portions of the power arms,

depressed seats in the outer faces of the work arm for receiving the operating parts of the sprinkler, complementary recesses and projections on the abutting portions of the levers for facilitating the assembling and soldering of the levers together, and additional means cooperatin with said abutting portions for assisting in the normal maintenance of the same in face-abutting relation.

A fusible link for fire sprinklers embodying two levers of the first class pivoted on separate fulcrums, with the work arms of "the levers spaced apart and in substantially parallel relation and the portions of the power arms thereof adjacent the fulcrums converging to bring the remaining portions of the power arms into face-almtting relation, fusible solder uniting said face-abutting portions of the power arms, and means, disruptable at a predetern'iined temperature, associated with the face abutting portions of the levers for assisting in the norn'ial maintenance thereof in assembled relation.

6. A fusible link for fire sprinklers embodying two levers of the first class, both of which are identical in shape, said levers being pivotal about separate fulcrums, with ,the work arms of the levers spaced apart and in substantially parallel relation, and the portions of the power arms thereof adjacent the fulcrums converging to bring the remaining portions of the power arms into face abutting relation, and fusible solder uniting said face-abutting portions of the power arms.

7. A fusible link for fire sprinklers embodying two levers of the first class, both of which are identical in shape, a strut, the opposite ends of which form two separate fulcrums. about "each of which one lever is piv otal, the work arms of the levers being normally spaced apart and in substantially parallel relation, and the portions of the power arms thereof adjacent the fulcrums converg ing to bring the remaining portions of the power arms into face-abutting relation, and

fusible solder uniting said face-abutting portions of the power arms.

8. A fusible link for fire sprinklers embodying two levers of the first class, both of which are identical in shape, a strut. the opposite ends of which form two separate fulcrums. about each of which one lever is pivotal, the work arms of the levers being normally spaced apart and in substantially par allel relation, and the portions of the power arms thereof adjacent the fulcrums converging to bring the remaining portions of the power arms into face-abutting relation, and fusible solder uniting said face abutting portions of the power arms, the opposite ends of the strut and the adjacent portions of the levers being complementarily shaped to breclude inadvertent shifting of the strut when the parts are assembled.

9. A fusible link for fire sprinklers embodying two levers of the first class pivoted on separate fulcrums, with the work arms of the levers spaced apart and in substantially parallel relation and the portions of the power arms thereof adjacent the fulcrums converging to bring the remaining portions of the power arms into face-abutting relation, fusible solder uniting said face-abutting portions ofthe power arms, and a pair oflocking strips soldered, for portions of their lengths, to the outer faces of the ahut ting portions of said levers and interlocked with one another beyond the free ends of said portions, either of which interlocked portions is readily disengageable from the other when the solder which holds said strip in place is fused.

10. A fusible link for fire sprinklers embodying two levers of the first class, both of which are identical in shape, a strut, the opposite ends of which form two separate fulcrums. about each of which one lever is pivotal, the work arms of the levers being nor mally spaced apart and in substantially parallel relation, and the portions of the power arms thereof adjacent the fulcrums converging to bring the remaining portions of the power arms into face-abutting relation, fusible solder uniting the face-abutting portions of the power arms, and means for precluding inadvertent shifting of the strut when the parts are assembled.

11. A fusible link for fire sprinklers embodying a pair of levers of the first class, both of which are identical in shape, and which levers are pivotal about separate fulcrums, the work arms of the levers being spaced apart in parallel relation, and a portion of the power arms being in faceabutting relation, in combination with fusible solder for uniting the abutting portions of the levers, a pair of additional lever members for normally locking the face-abutting portions in assembled relation, and fusible solder for normally holding the locking lever members in looking positions.

12. A fusible link for fire sprinklers embodying two levers of the first class, both of which are identical in shape, a strut, the opposite ends of which form two separate fulcrums, about each of which one lever is pivotal, the work arms of the levers being normally spaced apart and in substantially parallel relation, and the portions of the power arms thereof adjacent the fulcrums converging to bring the remaining portions of the power arms into face-abutting rela tion, fusible solder uniting said face-abutting portions of the power arms, a pair of aclc'l-itionallever' members for normally loe'lo ing the faceabutting portions in assembled relation, and fusible solder for normally holding the locking lever members in looking positions.

13. A fusible link for fire sprinklers embodying two levers of the first class, both of which are identical in shape, a strut, the opposite ends of which form two separate ful crums, about each of which one lever is pivotal, the work arms of the levers being normally spaced apart and in substantially parallel relation, and the portions of the power arms thereof adjacent the fulcrums converging to bring the remaining portions of the power arms into face-abutting relation, fusible solder uniting said face-abutting portions of the power arms. and a pair of additional levers of the first class pivotal about separate fulcrums on the main levers, with the work arms of the locking levers interlocked and the power arms secured to the main levers by fusible solder for locking the parts of the link in assembled relation until the application of heat melts the fusible solder.

let. A fusible link for fire sprinklers embodying two levers of the first class, both of which. are identical in shape, a strut, the opposite ends of which form two separate fulcrums, about each of which one lever H pivotal, the work arms of the lovers being normally spaced apart and in substantially parallel relation, and the portions of the power arms thereof adjacent the fulcrums converging to bring the remaining portions of the power arms into face-abutting relation, fusibl solder uniting said face-abutting portions of the power arms, a pair of additional levers of the first class pivotal about separate fulcrums on the main levers, with the work arms of the locking levers interlocked and the power arms secured to the main levers by fusible solder for locking the parts of the link in assembled relation until the application of heat melts the fusible solder. and complementary reentrant and projecting portions on adjacent parts of the link to facilitate the assembling thereof.

15. A fusible link for fire sprinklers embodying two levers of the first class, both of which are identical in shape, a strut, the opposite ends of which form two separate ful-= criuns, about each of which one lever is pivotal, the work arms of the levers being normally spaced apart and in substantially parallel relation, and the portions of the power arms thereof adjacent the fulcruins converging to bring the remaining portions of the power arms into face-abutting relation, fusible solder uniting said face-abutting portions of the power arms, a pair of additional levers of the first class pivotal about separate fulcrums on the main levers, with the work arms of the locking levers interlocked and the power arms secured to the main levers by fusible solder for locking the parts of the link in assembled relation until the application of heat melts the fusible solder, and complementary reentrant and projecting portions on the main and locking levers for facilitating the positioning of the locking levers in propercooperative relation the main levers during the assembling operation.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

EDWARD F. SHIPMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents. Washington, D. 0- 

